My X-Men Canon: Episode II: Attack ON the Franchise

So I'm sure the first thing you're thinking is, Attack ON the Franchise? What the hell does that mean? Simply put, aside from being an obvious Star War reference, this is where the entire X-Men franchise changes.  In these next two Ages we saw the X-Men come to theaters in live-action movies, and set the status quo for X-Men.  The costumes, the writers, the characters, it's all different and it starts with the Film Age.

COMIC TITLE INDEX

A= Astonishing X-Men

AN= All-New X-Men

AV= Avengers

Fac= X-Factor

For= X-Force

FF= Fantastic Four

L= X-Men: Legacy

N= New X-Men

U= Uncanny X-Men

UF= Uncanny X-Force

Film Age

Almost thirty years after the creation of the X-Men the mighty mutants finally got adapted for the big screen in their first movie.  Given that X-Men was THEE biggest comic book property(along with Batman)in the 1990's it was only fitting that it lead the charge in ushering in this new era for cinema.  Most credit X-Men with jump starting the superhero film craze.  I personally think Blade started it, X-Men made it known, and Spider-Man blew it up!  In any event, the films creeps over into the comics with line-up and costume changes.  We also see the emergence of new, bold, writers looking to modify the way we see the X-Men.

DREAM'S END

After the events of The Twelve the X-Men change things up by breaking into two very different teams and also make their outfits a little more edgy.  The cure for the Legacy Virus is near thanks to the work of Moria McTaggert and Dr. Hank McCoy, but it's still needing one last piece; a mutant sacrifice to start the spread of the cure.  Who is the X-Man that takes their life to stop this disease?

THE SEARCH FOR CYCLOPS

A psychic tremor leads Jean to thinking that Cyclops is alive, and not destroyed by Apocalypse.  She and Cable travel around the world in search for their loved one, but they're not the only ones looking for Scott Summers.

 EVE OF DESTRUCTION

The short story at the beginning of this graphic novel is one my favorites.  A recently reanimated Cyclops goes on a camping trip with his father, the space pirate, and Scott ends up letting out all his anger towards his dad in a few pages.  Later, we see Magneto building an army of mutants on Genosha to attack the rest of the world.  He's captured Xavier and it's up to a small band of X-Men to try and stop the Master of Magnetism before he starts World War III.

E IS FOR EXTINCTION(N)

Grant Morrison takes over as the head X-Men writer and the effects of the recent X-film is in full swing.  We see a new villain, Cassandra Nova, using a giant sentinel to erradicate the small nation of Genosha and the many mutants that inhabit it.  Their are few survivors.  One of them being Emma Frost, The White Queen, who reluctantly joins the new X-team.  I'm not a fan of Morrison's but his run on New X-Men is fabulous!

IMPERIAL(N)

When we last saw Professor X he was leaving for the stars to spend some time with his wife; Lilandra.  However, it wasn't Xavier behind the wheel of his car.  Cassandra Nova has returned after wreaking havok in the cosmos and the Shi'ar Empire.  If she can destroy her body, with Xavier's mind inside, she'll stay powerful forever.  Can the X-Men stop Nova with an entire intergalactic empire behind her?

NEW WORLDS(N)

Jean and Charles go on a little road trip around the world to see what difference their X-Corporation is making. But while the cat's away the Queen will play.  Emma continues her pursuit of Scott Summers.  Meanwhile, Jean and Charles meet Fantomex, a mutant criminal who has a close connection to Wolverine.  

RIOT AT XAVIER'S(N)

There is a new drug making the rounds at the school, and it makes the students more powerful and angrier.  Soon the faculty at Xavier's School For Gifted Youngsters is going to face-off against their jacked-up students.  Jean Grey returns home just in time to help stop this riot, and catch her husband in a very bad position.

ASSAULT ON WEAPON PLUS(N)

The White Queen is dead and the number one suspect is a missing Cyclops.  But Scott is too busy getting drunk at a bar, trying to forgot his issues.  That is until Wolverine and Fantomex recruit him for a mission to take down the entire Weapon's programs; the origin place for both Logan and Jean-Phillipe.

PLANET X(N)

Magneto has returned, again.  He's been posing as an X-Man for months right under their noses.  With his new 'students' Magneto is looking to take out all the X-Men and all of New York with them.  It takes the death of an X-Man to bring down Magneto this time.  Who will it be?

GIFTED(A)

Acclaimed TV show creator and geek god, Joss Whedon, begins his writing run with X-Men by finding a cure for the mutant gene, and creates tension for all the X-Men.  If I were to recommend any X-Men book to you, this would be it!  It's go Whedon's classic style all over it from the improper jokes at improper times, to a central female lead; Kitty Pryde.  Whedon also finds a way to bring back a long dead X-Man!  

DANGEROUS(A)

Joss Whedon continues his epic X-Men run by turning the Danger Room against the X-Men.  Can the team take down the computer that trained them, and can predict their every move?  And what happens when 'Danger' decides she wants to kill the man that kept her imprisoned all those years; Professor Charles Xavier?

DISASSEMBLED(AV)

This story line actually does not have any X-Men in it, but is crucial to what follows it; House of M.  The Avengers are under attack by every enemy they've ever had.  The team can't understand what is happening until it's too late.  One of their own is planning on taking them out one by one.  Can the Avengers figure who the traitor is before it's too late?

HOUSE OF M

After months of trying to help the Scarlet Witch gain her sanity back Professor X has brought the X-Men and the Avengers together to decide her fate.  But Wanda's family has other plans.  Soon our heroes are immersed in a reality where everyone has their deepest desires fulfilled.  Peter Parker is married to Gwen Stacy and his Uncle Ben never died.  Steve Rogers was never frozen during WWII and grew to become an old man.  And mutants are no longer hunted, but celebrated.  The only person who realizes something is wrong is Wolverine.  Remember the phrase, 'No More Mutants'.  This story line will change the X-Men forever!

Extinction Age

This is a dark time in X-Men history.  In one blink the mutant race went from being the next stage in human evolution to an endangered species.  The drama it adds to the X-Men books made it so great to read. A lot happens in this Age that shakes the entire foundation of X-Men.

DECIMATION

There were once millions of mutants on the planet, now there are only a few hundred.  The fallout of House of M is felt as the X-Men open their doors to every mutant; creating a sanctuary to save what few are left.  The government has also sent their own protective plan to help; Sentinels.  

THE END OF THE GREYS(U)

With most of the mutant race under marshal law at the Xavier mansion now seems like a good time for a massacre.  In hopes of bonding with her family Rachel Summers goes to a reunion where the Shi'ar have sent their deadliest assassins.  They plan on eradicating the Grey bloodline in order to stop another Dark Phoenix from ever happening.  In the process they end up becoming the worst enemy of the Dark Phoenix's daughter. Big mistake.  

DEADLY GENESIS

Someone has begun digging up secrets from the past and it costs Banshee his life.  Scott and Alex Summers discover they have a brother and he is pissed at Charles Xavier and the X-Men.  Gabriel Summers reveals a secret so deep it goes all the way back to Second Genesis and will have some losing their faith in Professor X forever.

THE RISE AND FALL OF THE SHI'AR EMPIRE(U)

After the events of Deadly Genesis Xavier is looking to right his wrongs by take a small team into space to hunt down Gabriel, aka Vulcan. When the X-Men locate Vulcan he's already taken control of the Shi'ar Empire and it's up to X-Men and the Starjammers to save the galaxy from Vulcan's vengeance.  This is one the most epic X-Men stories I've ever read.

EMPEROR VULCAN

In the third installment to what I call the 'Vulcan Saga' Havok, Polaris, and Rachel are leading the Starjammers against Vulcan's intergalactic terror.  But is Alex strong enough to take down his little brother before the galaxy feels Gabriel's wrath?

KINGBREAKER

The Starjammers are captured by Vulcan, but the war is not won yet.  Soon Vulcan will over extend his reach to the rest of the galaxy, but Havok is still determined to stop Vulcan before he gets that far.  If you haven't learned by now, X-Men is all about Summers and Greys despite what the movies tell you.

WAR OF KINGS

In the final installment of the 'Vulcan Saga' the rest of the galaxy ban together to take down Vulcan and the Shi'ar from the Inhumans to the Guardians of the Galaxy.  There is actually very little X-Men in this story line, but still good stuff.

TORN(A)

While Havok is out trying to take out one brother his other brother has been put into coma by his own girlfriend!  The White Queen has turned against the X-Men and it's up to Kitty to take down the women who 'taught her about evil'.  But not everything is as it seems, and Emma isn't attacking her teammates alone.

UNSTOPPABLE(A)

Joss Whedon wraps up his legendary X-Men run with a bang, or bullet I guess. Breakworld has a giant bullet pointed at Earth and it's up to the X-Men to stop this alien race from wiping out the planet.  Any Whedon fan will see his fingerprints all over the ending of this story.  

ENDANGERED SPECIES

There are 198 mutants left in the world, and that number is dwindling every day.  Hank McCoy is desperate to save his people so he seeks the help of everyone he can to try and revive the mutant race.  Hank travels the world seeking the High Evolutionary, Dr. Strange, and anyone who may help him.  He also finds the woman responsible for mutant kinds demise; the Scarlet Witch.

MESSIAH COMPLEX

The first mutant in years is born, and she's just a baby.  It's a scramble to try and reach this child.  The X-Men want to protect her, Mr. Sinister wants to experiment on her, and the human Purifiers want to kill her.  Cyclops finds out his own son, Cable, is on the run with the child and wants to make sure no one can catch him.  How far will Scott go to protect this new hope?  Is this child the mutant savior or their damnation?

My X-Men Comic Canon: Part I

In the culture of Star Wars the term for story lines that are concrete, gospel, and essential to the world is known as 'Canon'. On the eve of watching Captain America: the Winter Soldier my mind seems to have wandered to the next film I plan on seeing in theaters; X-Men: Days of Future Past.  This seems logical since X-Men is my #1 comic/superheroes I am a fan of.  Even more so than Superman, and my friends and family know how much I like Superman. My contact pictures in my phone are all X-Men characters; each person based on their personality and relation to me. Just to give you a hint as to who I am, my wife's picture is Jean Grey.

Last week I began a co-worker of mine on the path of reading about Marvel's mighty mutants. I first started him out by watching the 90's animated series and now he is reading classic story lines like Second Genesis, The Dark Phoenix Saga, and Days of Future Past.  After that I plan on throwing him into the X-Men he's become most familiar with; the animated team.

After my failure to sleep last night I make a road map in which to guide him through 50 years of X-Men.  It includes some essential story lines, and some of my personal favorites. I even was able to divide them into what I call 'Ages'.  In posting this I hope I may inspire someone else who has an interest in X-Men and get them started on what to read, and where to begin.  Because I've been criticized for "long blogs" and I know this one actually is long, I'll be splitting this into several parts. So look for a new entry every day this week! 

P.S. Anything with the word 'Genesis' in the title is a good jumping-off point.  Enjoy!

COMIC TITLE INDEX

A= Astonishing X-Men

AN= All-New X-Men

AV= Avengers

Fac= X-Factor

For= X-Force

FF= Fantastic Four

L= X-Men: Legacy

N= New X-Men

U= Uncanny X-Men

UF= Uncanny X-Force

Origin Age

I refer to this period as the beginning. Sure there was the original team before Wolverine and Storm joined, but this is when the title really took off, and mainly thanks to the writer Chris Claremont. These story lines set the precedence for all the rest that followed.

SECOND GENESIS(U)

When the X-Men are in need of rescuing Professor X must recruit a new team consisting of Storm, Nightcrawler, Colossus, and of course, Wolverine.  This story also introduces the Phoenix. A must for any X-Men reader.

THE DARK PHOENIX SAGA(U)

The X-Men's worst fear has come true. One of their own has become a powerful enemy. The team must battle Jean Grey/Dark Phoenix before she destroy's the entire galaxy. This is THEE X-Men story!

DAYS OF THE FUTURE PAST(U)

The basis of this summer's upcoming movie is also the first time we see the X-Men time travel and play with alternate realities, but it definitely won't be the last.  Kitty Pryde's mind travels back to her younger body to stop an assassination that will ruin the future for mutants and mankind.  In the movie Wolverine travels back-in-time, and given that's he's the star of the X-films I understand.  But it doesn't mean I think it still should be Kitty, played by Ellen Page. 

PHOENIX RISING(FF) (Fac)

Mr. Fantastic picks up an unusual energy signature at the bottom of a New York river.  Turns out it's Jean Grey! The Phoenix copied her and posed as her while Jean was asleep in a cocoon. Jean returns to a world that has continued on without her.  Beast, Iceman, and Angel are now the mutant-saving team X-Factor. And her former lover, Cyclops, is married and has a son. Did I mention Scott's wife looks a lot like Jean?

MUTANT MASSACRE

Mr. Sinister has sent his Marauders to attack the sewer dwelling Morlocks. Along with Sabertooth, the Marauders ravage the helpless mutants. When the X-teams try to intervene Angel's wings are ripped off of him in the fight.  Thor comes along to help out, but the physical and emotional scars are already made.

FALL OF THE MUTANTS

This story line introduces the villain known as Apocalypse.  He calls himself the original mutant, dating back to Egyptian times.  He and his Four Horseman rain terror on the world, and one of them is the former Angel, now Archangel.  X-Factor and X-Men must take down this new threat, save their friend, and save the world.

INFERNO

Cyclop's wife, Madelyne, has re-appeared with a vengeance towards Scott and the people who stole him away from her; the X-Men.  She has the powers of a demon and also the knowledge of her origins.  Madelyne Pryor is a clone of Jean Grey!  Mr. Sinister made Madelyne in hopes of combining the Grey and Summers bloodlines to create a very powerful mutant; their son Nathan.  X-Factor must stop Madelyne, and save Nathan as well.

ENDGAME(Fac)

Immediately following the events of Inferno, Apocalypse has come back and captured Nathan.  Apocalypse believes that Nathan will grow up and lead the resistance against him. He infects Nathan with a techno-organic virus in order to kill him.  The only way to save his son is for Cyclops to give him up, and send him to the future where he may have a chance of surviving.

This age really ends with the Muir Island Saga, but I'm not a fan of that story line. Afterwards, all the X-Men are rearranged to form three teams; X-Men, X-Factor, and X-Force. 

Animated Age

I call this the 'Animated Age' because it's look and team are what spawned the 90's animated cartoon, which to this day is the definitive interpretation of X-Men in most fans eyes.  Thanks to Jim Lee's art the X-Men look more bad ass than ever! 

MUTANT GENESIS

Magneto has returned!  And he's not alone. His new followers, the Acolytes, are out to punish the world for their persecution of mutants. The Blue Team is on the case, but then the Gold Team must step in to help.  The 2nd story line in this graphic novel involves a look into Wolverine's past and the introduction to the sinister Omega Red.

BISHOP'S CROSSING(U)

While the Blue Team is dealing with Magneto the Gold Team is dealing with the Hellfire Club and time traveling criminals.  Luckily a lawman from the future, Bishop, has come to help out.  Bishop must team up with the legendary X-Men he grew up hearing about in order to take down the fugitives from his time. 

X-CUTIONER'S SONG

A new enemy has kidnapped Cyclops and Jean Grey; Stryfe.  This baddie has a deep hatred for Scott, Jean, Apocalypse, and the mysterious leader of X-Force; Cable. The end battle sees only Cyclops and Cable allowed to pass a force-field to take down Stryfe.  What's their connection?  You'll find out later. 

FATAL ATTRACTIONS

Magneto and the Acolytes are back to wipe out humanity.  They approach both X-Factor and X-Force into joining them.  Then, Magneto crashes the funeral of Colossus's sister, Illyana.  Colossus leaves with Magneto, no longer believing in Xavier's dream. In the end, the X-Men make one final assault on Asteroid M that leaves both Magneto and Wolverine in VERY bad shape.  

THE WEDDING OF CYLOPS AND PHOENIX

There is a lot to this graphic novel, but the end of it is the wedding everyone has waited for. Wolverine declines to attend, but also makes sure the bad guys stay away too.  At the wedding though is the possible daughter of Scott and Jean, Rachel, and the girl who used her powers to send Kitty back in time during Days of Future Past.  Now she's in the present to stop her future from ever existing. 

THE ADVENTURE OF CYCLOPS AND PHOENIX

Scott and Jean spend their honeymoon in the future raising Scott's son; Nathan. For twelve years they raise the boy as their own, taking on the names Slym and Redd Dayspring. As his mutant powers develop Nathan has learned to keep the techo-organic virus inside of him at bay.  The three spend their time fighting the revolution against Apocalypse and his minions, which include a clone of Nathan.

PHALANX COVENANT

The alien race known as the Phalanx are infiltrating the X-Men and it's up to Banshee to lead a team of young mutants to stop them.  Along for the ride is the X-Men's former villain; The White Queen.  This story line ends with the formation of a new X-team; Generation X.

LEGION QUEST

In a prelude to the Age of Apocalypse, Charles Xavier's son has traveled back in time to make sure his father's dream comes true, by killing Magneto.  It's up to a small band of X-Men who have traveled back as well to stop Legion before he kills Xavier's best friend.

AGE OF APOCALYPSE

If Charles Xavier never lived to form the X-Men what would the present be like?  Well it appears Apocalypse would rule the world and turn it into a giant ash tray.  Only a small band of freedom fighters, the X-Men, oppose Apocalypse with the help of their leader; Magneto.  This story line is still spinning off new material today because of it's depth and well-received reviews.

ONSLAUGHT

What would happen if Professor Xavier went nuts? After shutting down Magneto's mind in Fatal Attractions Xavier goes crazy and forms a split personality called Onslaught.  This villain threatens the world and hopes to use the powers of Franklin Richards and X-Man (AoA's Nathan Summers) to bring humanity to it's knees.  Not all of Marvel's heroes walk away from this one kiddies.

OPERATION: ZERO TOLERANCE

After Onslaught the world is out to get mutants and in comes Bastion, a baddie who decides to capture and torture the X-Men.  Meanwhile, Iceman is the only X-hero left to stop Bastion's plan.  Anyone who is a fan of Iceman, this is the story line for you!

THE HUNT FOR XAVIER

The X-Men are out to bring their mentor home after being lost for quite a while, but first they must find him.  They split into two groups and get more what they bargained for in this tale.  

THE MAGNETO WAR

The X-Man known as Joseph is thought to be the newly rejuvenated Magneto, but when the original Master of Magnetism shows up and holds the world for ransom the true origin of Joseph is revealed, and boy is it a dozy.  I like the character of Joseph and I think this was a great way to end his heroes journey. 

THE TWELVE

Apocalypse has returned with another plan to make the world his and it involves collecting twelve powerful mutants and using their abilities to fulfill his evil deeds.  This story line came out just as the X-Men movie was released. After the movie and this story line, The X-Men, and Cyclops, changed forever.

Why My Kids Will See Star Wars: Episode I, First

I have been a Star Wars fan all my life.  When I was a kid, the days when I had to stay home from school because I was 'sick' I'd always watch The Empire Strikes Back, and to this day it is one of my Top 10 movies of all time.  So, in every Star Wars fans life their comes that special day.  The day when you have to make a decision; in what order will you introduce your children to Star Wars?  

I've recently been on a podcast kick, to where, I don't even listen to music in the car anymore.  After sampling several Star Wars themed podcast I settled on my support for Far, Far Away.  They have good guests, great banter, and they don't crap on the prequels as much as all the other podcasters out there.  With 16 years of built-up anticipation for Episode I it fell into a zone that a lot of sequels fall into if the original was so dearly loved.  It would never have been as awesome as we built it up in our minds after all those years of waiting.  Now, like all of you, their are many things I don't like about Episodes I-III, but to disregard these three films just because you didn't like them seems petty.  After hearing all these voices scream out against the prequels I felt like I had to let my voice be heard as to why I am going to show my kids the worst Star Wars movie first.

If you take the first hour of The Phantom Menace, before they go to Tatooine, it's a Jedi adventure about rescuing the Queen of Naboo.  It's light-hearted, exciting, and something totally different than the post-Episode IV stuff we fans were used too at the time.  Skipping over the Tatooine stuff, we see the Jedi and the Queen arrive on Coruscant so the Queen can plead her case to the Senate.  They then return to Naboo, rally everyone together to fight a battle on several fronts, (which is very reminiscent of the end of Return of the Jedi) and complete one of my personal favorite Star Wars scenes; the bad ass lightsaber duel.  Now go back and watch The Phantom Menace and tell me that's not a good family film.  Yes, you aging nerds, Star Wars is family entertainment, unlike The Dark Knight trilogy that includes a homicidal clown killing people.  

Now of course, the whole Tatooine stuff is still in there.  I don't like little Ani, I don't like the podracing stuff, and I hated the biblical reference on how Anakin was "conceived by the midi-chlorians."  But if you read the Darth Plagueis book you'll see how Anakin's true birth came to pass and you can forgive his miraculous birth.....just a little.  In any event, Episode I, while it's my least favorite film in the franchise, is probably going to be my children's favorite till they are maybe 10-years-old because of the things I truly hate about it; like Jar Jar and the podracing.

Star Wars Episode II: Attack of the Clones is actually a great follow-up to Episode I in regards to a child's progression in the saga.  It's a love story, though not a very good one, and it's got more swashbuckling adventures of the Jedi.  There is less Jar Jar in the film, (Yeah!) but also features the first adventure of that classic cinematic duo; R2-D2 and C-3PO.  

After years of being apart, Padme and Anakin are reunited and Anakin's feelings for her have grown stronger; much like his Jedi powers.  As Obi-Wan is sent on a mission to track down a bounty hunter Anakin is sent back to Naboo to protect Padme.  In the middle of the beautiful landscape that encompasses Naboo the two fall in love; knowing that it is forbidden.  Once Obi-Wan uncovers the coming threat Anakin and Padme must put their feelings aside and face their common enemy.  But not before they are wed on Naboo with only R2-D2 and C-3PO in attendance.

Attack of the Clones is not quite as light-hearted as The Phantom Menace but is still rather innocent for a pre-teen.  It has elements of adventure, love, and family.  Complain all you want about the horrible chemistry between Hayden Christensen and Natalie Portman but the scenes that would have made it all work were actually cut out of the movie.  Check out the deleted scenes on the DVD and get back to me.  And yes, Anakin is whiny but think about all the kids in the country who freaked out and shot up a school.  They were unstable outcasts who felt like they weren't getting what they deserved; like Anakin.  So in his defense, he's playing the part rather well.  He's playing him like....a teenager.

Now, when my children are entering their teenage years it will be the time to bring in Episode III: Revenge of the Sith. Chances are at this point they'll have already seen all the Star Wars movies because I go through the entire saga at least once a year.  But in any event, Episode III is just as dark as Episode V, if not more. 

It's the end of a war that has gone on for three years.  Anakin has become something a Jedi was never supposed to be; a soldier.  He is still deeply in love with Padme, who is now pregnant, and he is afraid of losing her.  Every action he does is because of this.  He feels that Palpatine is the only one who can help him so he turns against the Jedi and everything he knows to supposedly save her.  Of course he doesn't realize that his vision of her dying is going to be caused by him.  Anakin's choice I feel doesn't stray too far from the one many of us would choose in his shoes.  Anakin tries to do something good by doing something bad.  It's called The Dark Side people.  

 From the moment Order 66 is unleashed I feel like the film is perfect, minus the "she has lost the will to live" idiocracy.  Her husband force-choked her and she lost so much oxygen she was going to die.  How hard is that to say?  I even feel that the well-hated "Noooooo" is fine.  Anakin/Vader just lost his wife and his child, what else is he supposed to yell?  Episode III ends on a dark note, and since Anakin ends up worse than a piece of fried chicken at a barbecue I think a young teen can see the lesson of 'consequences' in this film.  FYI, watch the deleted scenes on this DVD too and you'll see Padme actually had a purpose of being in the movie aside from just being pregnant, giving birth to Luke and Leia, and then dying.  

After Revenge of the Sith I think it's time to open the flood gates!  At that point I feel like my children will be old enough to appreciate the original trilogy, even though,visually, it won't be as good as what they'll be used too; especially if it's 13 years from now!  They should be able to recognize the great story and characters and how this is 'The Trilogy'.  As Randall Graves put it, "Alright, look.  There is only one 'Return' and it ain't of the 'King' it's of the 'Jedi'."  Damn straight!

Some say they don't want to spoil the 'father' surprise in Episode V by showing them the prequels first.  I was born in 1983.  I always knew Vader was Luke's father.  It's common knowledge in this society and the center of many pop culture puns.  I expect my children to walk around the house by 4-years-old in a Darth Vader mask saying "Luke, I am your father."

So there it is people.  While some Star Wars fans deny the prequels ever existed I plan on embracing them as the progression in my children's Star Wars cultural knowledge.  By that time too, they'll have released a dozen other Star Wars TV shows, movies, and who knows what else.  I enjoy the comics and the movies.  Other people enjoy the books and video games.  Some kids have grown up watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  Everyone has their own Star Wars.  So don't hate on something just because you weren't the target audience.  Also, May The Force be with us all.

  

End, The Clone Wars Has

As a kid growing up I always thought I was a Jedi.  I had good instincts, I was very perceptive, and I could handle myself with a lightsaber.  A while back I realized I had the power to predict the future, because I knew exactly what was going to happen when Disney decided to buy Lucasfilm.  I saw Dark Horse comics stopping their 20-year publishing run of Star Wars comics and Marvel now publishing Star Wars comics.  Later this year, that is exactly what will happen since Disney owns Marvel comics.  I also saw the animated series, Star Wars: The Clone Wars, switching over to DisneyXD and leaving Cartoon Network.  Then word came that they were canceling the show all together and making a new Star Wars animated show on DisneyXD.

Now I am an unbashful Star Wars.  I try to soak up everything I can that is Star Wars. So, I have been watching Star Wars: The Clone Wars since it started.  In the season 5 finale, Ahsoka Tano, the character specifically made for the show, left the Jedi Order.  I was shocked that the series was going to be left with such an open ending like that!  It was later announced that the 6th, and final, season of Star Wars: The Clone Wars would air directly on Netflix.  My only hope was that all the questions about season 5 would be resolved.  

One thing I have liked about Star Wars: The Clone Wars through the years is that even though it was a 1/2 hour program most story lines took several episodes to get through; like having lots of mini movies.  Occasionally you had the childish episode, like one starring Jar Jar Binks, in which case I skipped over those episodes.  But this really was a family show in that it had something for all age groups.  The later seasons started getting a little darker, but it was still good plots with good characters.  So after finishing season 6 on Netflix I've decided to share my favorite story lines from a series that I hope I can watch with my kids in about 10 years.

Season 1: Episodes 2-4

Rising Malevolence, Shadow of Malevolence, Destroy Malevolence

This is the first multi-episode story line in the series and it really set the tone for the show.  The main characters were Anakin, Obi-Wan, Padme, and Ahsoka. This was also the first introduction of General Grievous in the show since the character had not been in The Clone Wars theatrical movie that set-up the series.

The Separatists have a new weapon, the Malevolence, and it threatens to hurt the Republic unless it is stopped.  Anakin leads a fleet against this massive ship and after disabling it he, and Obi-Wan, must rescue Padme who is on Malevolence.  The third act is Star Wars it's finest!  It's action-packed, fun, funny, and makes us remember why we love the classic characters like Obi-Wan Kenobi and C-3PO.  In one scene Obi-Wan is surrounded and Grievous drops in and says, "hello there."  Obi-Wan paid Grievous back for that one in Episode III. 

When The Clone Wars began Dave Filoni, show creator, said that this series was going to finally show Anakin Skywalker: the war hero and good guy.  He was right.  Throughout the course of the show we saw Anakin and Obi-Wan's relationship and why Obi-Wan loved him so dearly.  We also see how brave and valiant Anakin was, but with the occasion anger management issue.

Season 2: Episodes 1-3

Holocron Heist, Cargo of Doom, Children of the Force

The end of the first season introduced a new bounty Hunter, Cad Bane.  Bane is everything some Star Wars fans think Boba Fett is, but we have yet to see it on-screen.  Bane is bad ass and makes being the bad guy look cool.  

Bane is hired by Darth Sidious to steal a Jedi holocron from the Jedi Temple.  Then he has to find himself a Jedi to open it.  The main three (Obi-Wan, Anakin, and Ahsoka) chase Bane down for the holocron and later must stop him when they find out he's kidnapping children who are potential Jedi.  This leads Anakin and Ahsoka to Mustafar, the planet of Anakin's future damnation and his epic battle with Obi-Wan.  Just seeing Anakin on Mustafar was enough foreshadowing to get me excited.  These episodes also begin to show Anakin's attachment to Ahsoka and how they both have a lot to learn from each other. 

Season 2: Episodes 12-14

The Mandalore Plot, Voyage of Temptation, Duchess of Madalore

Did anyone else know Obi-Wan had a girlfriend?  Apparently he met the Dutchess Satine years ago when he was still Qui-Gon's apprentice.  But Obi-Wan stayed true to his vow to the Jedi Order and continued his training to become a Jedi Knight.

It's years later and Obi-Wan has returned to Mandalore to protect Satine against the rebel group known as 'Death Watch.'  These are the guys that Jango Fett came from.  Satine and Obi-Wan bicker for all three episodes making us believe these two must really have liked each other.  When Anakin shows up we see him try to encourage Obi-Wan to be alone with Satine.  To me, this gives insight that Anakin sees Obi-Wan put into the same situation he was in with Padme, only Anakin gave in to his desires.  

I love that this was not only an Obi-Wan centered story, but also we get told a little more about Obi-Wan's past.  He did love someone at some point in his life, but he chose to stay with the Jedi.  Iron Man director and actor, Jon Favreau, also lends his voice to the Death Watch leader in these episodes.

Season 3: Episodes 12-14

Nightsisters, Monster, Witches of the Mist

For those fans still saddened that Darth Maul died so quickly then this is the story for you.  We get to learn where Maul came from and how many more where like him.  And by the time the story is done we get a hint that Darth Maul just may not be done in the Star Wars universe after all.

After countless failings, Count Dooku decides to let his apprentice, Asajj Ventress, die.  Ventress makes it back to her home world with her people, the Nightsisters, and begins plotting her revenge against Dooku.  We learn about Ventress's past and that she comes from a tribe of very powerful women. The Nightsisters persuade Dooku to take a new apprentice of their choosing, one who came from the same place as Darth Maul.  

Savage Opress is given extra powers by the Nightsisters and goes to work for Dooku.  Soon Ventress comes to exact her revenge with Opress by her side just as Obi-Wan and Anakin have tracked down Opress, whose been leaving a body count throughout the galaxy.  All the characters escape with their lives and Opress returns to the Nightsisters lost, but is given the location of his brother; Darth Maul.

Season 3: Episodes 15-17 

Overlords, Altar of Mortis, Ghosts of Mortis

This story line was very character driven that focused on 'The main three' but was mainly about Anakin being 'The Chosen One'.  After being sucked into a magical world that is very powerful with the Force the Jedi are introduced to Father, a force-wielder who wants to know if Anakin truly is 'The Chosen One'.  Father has two children; Daughter, who represents the light side of the Force, and Son, who represents the dark side of the Force.  

After a test Anakin refuses to take Father's place in keeping his children in balance.  Son then tries to persuade Anakin to the dark side and help set him loose upon the galaxy.  Along the way Daughter is killed by Son, Ahsoka sees her future self, Obi-Wan sees Qui-Gon Jinn, and Anakin sees what he will become in a giant, black, formed cloud accompanied by some heavy breathing.

At the end of the story Father makes Anakin forget what he just learned and 'The main three' feel like they just had a really bad acid trip.

Season 5: Episodes 14-16 

Eminence, Shades of Reason, The Lawless

This was the last episode I went back and re-watched because it had been so long since I watched it.  And I gotta say, I think The Lawless is one of my top 3, if not my favorite episode, in Star Wars: The Clone Wars.  When Darth Maul comes onto the show I feel it got a little darker and The Lawless is the kind of episode I never thought I'd see in this show if I was back watching season 1.  WARNING!! MAJOR SPOILERS BELOW!!

Darth Maul and Savage Opress are picked up by Death Watch and they swap stories about their mutual hatred for Obi-Wan Kenobi.  Maul then convinces them to join him in uniting all the criminal underground in the galaxy under them; even The Black Sun and the Hutts.  Then they stage an attack that puts Death Watch in charge of Mandalore and imprisons Satine in hopes of luring Obi-Wan to Mandalore.  Maul then kills the Death Watch leader, still voiced by Jon Favreau, and takes control of Mandalore for himself. 

Obi-Wan of course comes to save the day, but is captured.  Then Darth Maul kills Satine right in front of him!  I totally forgot about this event and it shocked me as if I had just watched 'The Red Wedding.'  But someone else who doesn't like Darth Maul in charge of Mandalore is Darth Sidious.  He comes to confront his former apprentice, tells him he is messing with his own plans, and then kills Savage Opress.  The Lawless ends with Obi-Wan fleeing Mandalore, vowing to return and restore order, and Darth Sidious sparing Darth Maul's life saying that his has plans for him still.

These cliff hangers are ones I hoped season 6 would tie-up but didn't.  So now we're just left hanging in regards to Mandalore, and Darth Maul, because he doesn't pop-up in Episode III as part of Sidious's plan. 

Season 5: Episodes 17-20

Sabotage, The Jedi Who Knew Too Much, To Catch A Jedi, The Wrong Jedi

As if The Lawless didn't shake up this animated series enough the following story line left us coming up with more questions and theories as to what will happen to these characters.  This story is Ahsoka centered.  Which is nice because at the time we all thought this was the last of The Clone Wars we'd ever see.  So wrapping it all up with the character who was specifically made for The Clone Wars seemed right.

The story starts out with Ahsoka and Anakin investigating a bombing at the Jedi Temple, but soon all the evidence begins to point to Ahsoka.  She stages a prison break after she is expelled from the Jedi Order and Asajj Ventress becomes her most trusted ally as she is a fugitive on the run.  It kind of reminds me when Batgirl teamed up with Catwoman on Batman: Animated Series.

So eventually Anakin finds out that is was Ahsoka's friend, Offee, who framed Ahsoka.  Offee accused the Jedi of losing their way in this war and doesn't believe in the Jedi Order anymore.  This is something that was brought up by Anakin in Episode III and is how the galactic public starts to feel about the Jedi, which makes it that much easier when Order 66 comes to pass.  The Jedi Council re-instates Ahsoka but she turns them down.  After a heart-felt goodbye with Anakin the last shot of her is walking into the sun set.  Seriously, that's the last we see of her in the whole series except for a dream/vision.

When Star Wars: The Clone Wars started I felt like something had to happen to Ahsoka; mainly death.  She's not in Episode III and it would fit to help bringing Anakin closer to the dark side.  But she walks into the sunset with all her limbs still attached!  Looking at it now I'm glad they didn't kill her.  This now gives Star Wars creators use of this beloved character in other stories.  Maybe she'll pop-up in Star Wars: Rebels, maybe she'll be in Episode VII, or maybe we'll get a story where Ahsoka and Anakin, I mean Darth Vader, meet later and he kills her?    

Season 6: Episodes 1-4

The Unknown, Conspiracy, Fugitive, Orders

The last couple of episodes in the series were centered around Yoda and how he learned to better become one with the Force, and why he went to live in Dagobah at the end of Episode III.  There is also a nice lead-in to that one about the Jedi finding out what happened to Master Sifo-Dyas, who ordered the creation of the clones, and how they learn that Count Dooku might actually have been responsible for the creation of the clones.

However, this story was one that really stuck out to me in season 6.  One of the clone troopers in Anakin's platoon ends up snapping and killing a Jedi.  Everyone is stunned and wants to know why.  The trooper's friend, Fives, then goes on a grand suspenseful tale about what happened, what Order 66 is, what Palpatine has planned, and how nobody believes him.  

It's quite interesting how this show really did have so many great characters.  I like how they showed that even though the troopers were all cloned from the same person, they still had their own personalites.  I know that Cody turns against Obi-Wan in Episode III, but I'd love to know that happens after that.  Does he have remorse for someone he spent years with?  What about Anakin's right-hand man, Rex?  What happened to him?  

There are so many things that are left unanswered in this series I hope at some point within the Star Wars universe we get some answers.  But I think that's how you know it's a good show.  It's not about how many Emmy's it won (several by the way) but that you want the series, and the characters, to continue.  Seriously though, if they never bring Ahsoka back, ever, I'm going to have carved on my tombstone, "What happened to Ahsoka?"